Westside : CONUNDRUM

And you thought you had problems deciding how to pave the patio. Just imagine the hassle in Venice, where nobody can agree on whether to put asphalt or bricks on a new, improved boardwalk.

At a weekend workshop, residents and business people had little trouble with no-brainers such as should the $7-million make-over of the funky beachfront hangout include more bathrooms. It will.

But the question of asphalt or bricks is proving much harder to resolve, with brick fans saying their favorite material provides more ambience and lasts longer--even if it will cost as much as $1 million more.

Asphalt lovers will have none of that, arguing that poured black roadways are more easily repaired and take less time to install, which is good for business.

Wait a minute. Has anybody thought about wood? It’s supposed to be a boardwalk, isn’t it? Never mind.